Retiring Florida State coach Mike Martin tips his hat to spectators and well-wishers following an NCAA College World Series baseball game against Texas Tech in Omaha, Neb., Wednesday, June 19, 2019. Texas Tech won 4-1. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

CWS on It’s Final Rounds: Fans Say Goodbye to Mike Martin

The NCAA Men’s College World Series is four days away from its championship series and three teams have already been eliminated. Auburn, Arkansas, and Florida State have reached the end of the road at the College World Series.

Michigan, Texas Tech, and Vanderbilt are three of the four teams set to compete for a spot at the finals. A matchup on Thursday night between Mississippi St. and Louisville will determine who will get that last spot.

Losing in Omaha is always tough, but for Florida State, this loss might’ve been the toughest one of all. This loss also meant it was time to say goodbye to their head coach, Mike Martin.

With this 2019 season, Mike Martin capped a 40-year head coaching career with the Noles baseball team. During these years, Martin has been able to take his team to Omaha 17 times but never won a title. Martin hoped to win this title in his final season but the team fell short 4-1 against Texas Tech this past Wednesday.

Mike Martin’s Career

Mike Martin started coaching at the junior high school level before becoming a basketball coach at Tallahassee Community College in 1970. In 1975, he went back to his alma mater, Florida State, where he became the assistant coach for the baseball team. He then stepped up as the Noles’ head coach in 1980 where he stayed for the next 40 years.

During these years, Martin was able to get an outstanding record of 2,029 wins, surpassing the previous record set by Augie Garrido of 1,975. He also saw his team qualify for the NCAA Tournament in all 40 seasons. Although the Noles have yet won a national championship, they were still able to win 11 Metro Conference titles and nine ACC titles.

Florida State has been eliminated from the College World Series

Head coach Mike Martin finishes his career with 2,029 wins, the most by any coach in any NCAA sport

Martin’s successful career has recognized him as one of the best coaches in college baseball. He not only broke the record for most wins, but he also had the longest postseason appearances streak of all time. The Noles had 44 postseason appearances and 41 of those were under Mike Martin.

Future of Florida State Baseball Coaching Staff

Fans have started wondering who will step up as the next Noles’ head baseball coach. Rumors have been going around stating that Mike Martin Jr. will step up. He has been working as an assistant coach for the team for the last 22 years. The baseball staff for the Noles has not commented on the matter.

Whether Martin Jr. takes the position or not, one thing is for sure: whoever becomes the next head coach has really big shoes to fit. The baseball staff for the Noles has not commented on the matter.